Tension Rod Locking Mechanism With Expandable Collar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable tension rods require time-consuming rotation to expand and often use hazardous spring compression for tension, which can damage surfaces and pose safety risks, while balancing user friendliness and weight support.

Innovation Solution

A tension rod mechanism featuring a tapered first threaded shaft, an expandable collar, and a second attachment shaft, where rotation of the first outer shaft relative to the second inner shaft expands the collar's diameter, providing axial locking and tension without spring compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a long threaded stud is used for expansion, then the tension rod can be adjusted to the desired length, but the constant rotation required is time-consuming and exhausting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of expansionVSAvoidtime required for expansion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tension rod is divided into multiple telescoping segments (first shaft and second shaft) that can be extended independently. The expandable collar is segmented to engage with different portions of the threaded shaft, allowing incremental adjustment rather than requiring continuous rotation over the entire length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion mechanism transitions from purely rotational movement to a combination of rotational and axial movements. The expandable collar converts rotational input into axial expansion through its interaction with the tapered threaded shaft, reducing the number of rotations needed by utilizing the dimensional transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If spring compression is used to provide tension, then the tension rod can be easily expanded, but the spring may scuff or damage support surfaces and pose safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of expansionVSAvoidsurface damage and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hazardous spring mechanism is completely removed from the system. Instead of using spring compression to provide tension, the invention employs a friction-based locking mechanism where the expandable collar engages with the tapered threaded shaft, eliminating the source of surface damage and safety hazards while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of spring compression into a beneficial friction-based locking mechanism. The pressure that would otherwise be applied by a spring is instead generated through the user's controlled rotation, which creates friction between the collar and shaft to maintain tension without the harmful effects of spring release or surface scuffing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If the tension rod is pulled to a length larger than the distance between support surfaces, then expansion is easier, but the rod must then be compressed which can damage surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of expansionVSAvoidsurface damage during positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion process is inverted from the conventional approach. Instead of expanding beyond the target length and then compressing back, the threaded shaft with expandable collar allows the user to expand incrementally to the exact desired length through controlled rotation, eliminating the need for subsequent compression and the associated surface damage risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy expansion and secure locking of the tension rod between support surfaces, preventing damage and safety hazards, while maintaining sufficient weight support without the need for spring compression.

Implementation Method 1

a tapered first threaded shaft. An expandable collar is threadingly engaged with the tapered first threaded shaft. When the expandable collar is in the first outer shaft and the second attachment shaft is fixedly received in the second inner shaft, a first rotation of the first outer shaft relative to the second inner shaft expands a diameter of the collar fixedly attaching the expandable collar to the first outer shaft for axial movement therewith

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTapered thread mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS8960456B2Molded tension rod mechanism with single lock nut

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 DECOLIN INC

AI summary

A tension rod mechanism for a tension rod having a second inner shaft slideably received by a first outer shaft and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the tension rod. An expandable collar is threadingly engaged with a tapered first threaded shaft is configured to be received in the first outer shaft for rotational movement therewith and slidable axial movement relative thereto. A second attachment shaft fixedly connected to the tapered first threaded shaft is configured to be received in the second inner shaft for rotational and slidable axial movement therewith. When the expandable collar is in the first outer shaft and the second attachment shaft is fixedly received in the second inner shaft, a first rotation of the first outer shaft relative to the second inner shaft expands a diameter of the collar fixedly attaching the expandable collar to the first outer shaft for axial movement therewith.